Breaking the silence: Hertfordshire Constabulary champions menopause support

14 October 2026

Ahead of World Menopause Day, Hertfordshire Constabulary is highlighting the importance of understanding menopause, supporting colleagues and creating a workplace where everyone feels comfortable having positive conversations.

Hertfordshire Constabulary is bringing colleagues together on Thursday (15 October) for its annual menopause event, offering an opportunity to learn from experts, share experiences and explore the support available across the force.

Organised by the Menopause Support Group, the event will take place:

• at Force headquarters
• from 9.30am to 1pm. 

World Menopause Day is on Sunday (18 October), this year, with its theme focusing on managing chronic pain at mid-life.

The keynote speaker is Dr Yasmine Nassif, a chartered psychologist with more than 25 years' experience in the mental health field and deputy clinical lead for the East and Southeast Talking Therapies team.

Women's health

Passionate about sharing knowledge around women's health, Dr Nassif has led the women's health working group in Talking Therapies since 2021. Her presentation, from 10am to noon, will offer colleagues an opportunity to explore the subject in greater depth, with time for questions and answers.

Experts will also be available to offer advice on a range of health and wellbeing issues, with Police Mutual attending the event.

Rachel Hyde, chair of the Menopause Support Group and a Menopause Champion, said: “We have been so lucky to secure such a knowledgeable and imminent speaker who I am sure will give us such a different perspective.”

“Menopause is a diverse and complex experience, affecting people in different ways. While its impact on women is rightly at the centre of the conversation, it can also affect partners, families, colleagues and line managers.”

The Menopause Support Group works to amplify these conversations, helping to raise awareness, challenge misconceptions and ensure menopause is recognised as an important health and wellbeing issue.

 

 

The aim is to encourage positive conversations across the whole force, recognising that every person's experience is different and that support should reflect individual needs.

“By encouraging open conversations and making support accessible across the force, the group hopes to ensure colleagues feel listened to, respected and supported,” Rachel continued.

“Ahead of World Menopause Day, we are encouraging all colleagues to help raise awareness, listen to individual experiences and support one another. By doing this, we can all help to create a more inclusive workplace for everyone.”

Rachel said that the annual event is an opportunity to build on the work already taking place across Hertfordshire Constabulary, bringing together colleagues to help develop a better understanding of menopause.

For Hertfordshire Police Federation’s full-time representative Terasa Holden, raising awareness and encouraging open conversations are essential to ensuring officers feel supported and understood at work.

World Menopause Day

Terasa has previously urged colleagues not to suffer in silence if menopause symptoms are affecting their personal or professional lives.

She said: “Women shouldn’t have to suffer in silence if the menopause is impacting their lives at home and work.

“The more we talk about it, the more we’re able to educate ourselves, our colleagues, and our line managers.

“The effects can be misunderstood, so things like World Menopause Day are great at breaking down those barriers and encouraging women to access support if they need it.

“Our branch reps are there for you and to help you get that support.”

Alongside raising awareness, Hertfordshire Constabulary offers practical support to colleagues experiencing menopause.

Menopause Champions provide information and support, while the wellbeing team runs regular sessions across the county to help colleagues access advice and discuss issues that may affect their health and working lives.

Support

The Force also recognises the important role line managers play. One-to-one support is available to help managers better understand menopause, have informed conversations with colleagues and consider reasonable adjustments where appropriate.

Creating an environment where people feel able to speak openly can make a real difference, helping managers and colleagues work together to identify the support needed.

The Force also provides practical assistance through its funding of HRT prescriptions for colleagues, as part of its wider commitment to wellbeing.

Together, these measures aim to ensure menopause is not something colleagues feel they have to navigate alone.

The event takes place at Force headquarters next Thursday (15 October), from 9.30am to 1pm. 

Colleagues wishing to attend should email Katie Carolan in Corporate Communications to register their interest. Places are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and permission should be sought from line managers before attending.

READ MORE: Fed reinforced support for officers through PIP process.